Roger Neal is the man behind the magic of Neal Public Relations, an award-winning PR firm with over four decades of experience in handling publicity, promotions, and marketing in the entertainment industry. With offices in New York and Los Angeles, the agency takes a personal approach to meet the diverse needs of its clients in this highly competitive field. One of the firm’s strengths lies in its ability to work harmoniously with various stakeholders, including artists’ managers, television networks, movie companies, local TV stations, corporate sponsors, and publicity representatives. By effectively disseminating information, Neal PR ensures that the right people are informed at the right time.
When asked when he knew he wanted to have a career in entertainment, he quickly and confidently shared that at the tender age of 5, when someone first asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up, he boldly proclaimed, “I want to be in show business. I’m going to be in Hollywood.” He continues to share that he always knew he would be an integral part of Hollywood but behind the camera, orchestrating what audiences would see. Later in life, he found himself at the ripe age of 18, moving across the country to pursue his dream with just $900 in his pocket. Shortly after, he found a job in the mailroom at MGM Studios in Culver City. Within 1 year, he had found favor with the Head of Publicity at MGM, and one day she asked him, “What do you want to do?” He confidently replied, “I want to be a publicist.” With that reply, she suggested he start his own company, and if all else failed, he could always come back to work for the studios. After hearing this, he took the leap of faith and started an entrepreneurial life as a freelance publicist at the mere age of 19.
He shares, “One of my favorite quotes is, ‘To treat others the way you want to be treated.’ This goes hand in hand with my belief to always be honest and go above and beyond for your clients.”
Being based in New York and Los Angeles, the agency has the advantage of creating, executing, and coordinating national publicity, promotion, and marketing campaigns. The proximity to key personnel in the trade and consumer publications and broadcast media in these cities allows for quick and direct access.
Roger takes pride in his role to maintain key relationships with the media and provide viable coverage for his clients. He and his firm Neal Public Relations, continue to make their mark in the entertainment industry. With their extensive experience and passion for what they do, they are well-positioned to handle all aspects of publicity, promotions, and marketing in the ever-evolving entertainment landscape.
This article feature is from our annual special edition issue, the L.A. STYLE Magazine Most Influential of 2023.
